From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Technical report on the 8-Cylinder 2 1/4 litre Alfa Romeo chassis and engine.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 124\5\ scan0117 | |
| Date | 23th December 1933 | |
| file To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} X482 c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Hor. c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} c. to LP.{Mr Lappin} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}9/KW23.12.33. 8-Cylinder 2 1/4 litre Alpha Romeo. ----------------------- We have had an opportunity of seeing a chassis of this type stripped at Brooklands. The car had run in all this year's races without overhaul. The condition was excellent except for the presence of steel shavings from the timing gears in the bearings. The chassis was similar to the 1750 C.C. we had except that the front axle is now shackled both ends and positioned by a radius rod either side running backwards from underneath the spring to a bracket on the frame, the point of anchorage being some way behind the shackles. The brake drums are 15" dia., consisting of a steel rim rivetted in an aluminium ribbed drum. The engine differs very considerably from the 1750 C.C. model. It is mounted at 3 points, two at the rear and one centrally in front. The crankcase and bottom half are in Elektron and the block and detachable head in aluminium. Some more interesting points are as follow :- Cylinder Head. Hemispherical with two 90o inclined valves per cylinder, the gas passages very short and straight at about 45o to the valve stem, the inlet and exhaust passages being identical. Bronze inserted valve seats are used of 1.150 throat diameter. The valves are very light and controlled by triple springs, the cams operating directly on the valves, giving a .340 lift. The sparking plugs are central and pocketed thus:- | ||